Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal device, display apparatus and display method

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal composition, comprising: at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): &lt;CHEM&gt; wherein R&lt;1&gt; and R&lt;2&gt; independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 - 18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO-or -CH(X)- with the proviso that -O- cannot directly be connected to -O- and X denotes halogen; Z&lt;1&gt; denotes -COO- or -CH2O-; X&lt;1&gt; and X&lt;2&gt; independently denote a single bond, -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO- or -OCOO-; A&lt;1&gt; denotes a single bond, &lt;CHEM&gt;   &lt;CHEM&gt; Y&lt;1&gt; and Y&lt;2&gt; independently denote hydrogen, halogen, -CH3- or CF3-; and at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (II): &lt;CHEM&gt; wherein R&lt;3&gt; and R&lt;4&gt; independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 - 18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO-or -CH(X)- with the proviso that -O- cannot directly be connected to -O- and X denotes halogen; X&lt;3&gt; and X&lt;4&gt; independently denotes a single bond, -O-, -COO-, -OCO-or -CO-; Z&lt;2&gt; denotes a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-; A&lt;2&gt;, A&lt;3&gt; and A&lt;4&gt; independently denote a single bond, &lt;CHEM&gt;   &lt;CHEM&gt; Y&lt;3&gt; and Y&lt;4&gt; independently denote hydrogen, halogen, -CH3 or -CF3; and k is 0 or 1 with the proviso that X&lt;3&gt; is a single bond when A&lt;2&gt; is a single bond, and X&lt;4&gt; is a single bond when A&lt;3&gt; is a single bond and k is 0. The liquid crystal composition is easily aligned by a simple rubbing method to provide a uniform monodomain and further provides wider driving voltage and temperature margins effective for providing a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device. &lt;IMAGE&gt;

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

The present invention relates to a novel liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal device, a display apparatus and a display method, and more particularly to a novel liquid crystal composition with improved responsiveness to an electric field, a liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition for use in a display device, a liquid crystal-optical shutter, etc., a display apparatus using the device, and a display method using the composition and device.

The use of liquid crystal devices having bistability has been proposed by Clark and Lagerwall (e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Appln. No. 56-107216, U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,924, etc.). In this instance, as the liquid crystals having bistability, ferroelectric liquid crystals having chiral smectic C-phase (SmC*) or H-phase (SmH*) are generally used. These liquid crystals have bistable states of first and second stable states with respect to an electric field applied thereto. Accordingly, as different from optical modulation devices in which the conventional TN-type liquid crystals are used, the bistable liquid crystal molecules are oriented to first and second optically stable states with respect to one and the other electric field vectors, respectively. Further, this type of liquid crystal has a property (bistability) of assuming either one of the two stable states in response to an applied electric and retaining the resultant state in the absence of an electric field.

In addition to the above-described characteristic of showing bistability, such a ferroelectric liquid crystal (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "FLC") has an excellent property, i.e., a high-speed responsiveness. This is because the spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric liquid crystal and an applied electric field directly interact with each other to induce transition of orientation states. The resultant response speed is faster than the response speed due to the interaction between dielectric anisotropy and an electric field by 3 to 4 digits.

Thus, a ferroelectric liquid crystal potentially has very excellent characteristics, and by making use of these properties, it is possible to provide essential improvements to many of problems with the conventional TN-type devices. Particularly, the application to a high-speed optical shutter and a display of a high density and a large picture is expected.

A simple matrix display apparatus including a device comprising such a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates may be driven according to a driving method as disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications Nos. 193426/1984, 193427/1984, 156046/1985 and 156047/1985.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are waveform diagrams showing driving voltage waveforms adopted in driving a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel as an embodiment of the liquid crystal device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of such a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel 61 having a matrix electrode structure. Referring to FIG. 6, the panel 61 comprises scanning lines 62 and data lines 63 intersecting with the scanning lines. Each intersection comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between a scanning line 62 and a data line 63 to form a pixel.

Referring to FIG. 4, at S_(S) is shown a selection scanning signal waveform applied to a selected scanning line, at S_(N) is shown a non-selection scanning signal waveform applied to a non-selected scanning line, at I_(S) is shown a selection data signal waveform (providing a black display state) applied to a selected data line, and at I_(N) is shown a non-selection data signal waveform (providing a white display state) applied to a non-selected data line. Further, at (I_(S) -S_(S)) and (I_(N) -S_(S)) in the figure are shown voltage waveforms applied to pixels on a selected scanning line, whereby a pixel supplied with the voltage (I_(S) -S_(S)) assumes a black display state and a pixel supplied with the voltage (I_(N) --S_(S)) assumes a white display state. FIG. 5 shows a time-serial waveform used for providing a display state as shown in FIG. 7.

In the driving embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a minimum duration Δt of a single polarity voltage applied to a pixel on a selected scanning line corresponds to the period of a writing phase t₂, and the period of a one-line clearing phase t₁ is set to 2Δt.

The parameters V_(S), V_(I) and Δt in the driving waveforms shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are determined depending on switching characteristics of a ferroelectric liquid crystal material used.

FIG. 8 shows a V-T characteristic, i.e., a change in transmittance T when a driving voltage denoted by (V_(S) +V_(I)) is changed while a bias ratio as mentioned hereinbelow is kept constant. In this embodiment, the parameters are fixed at constant values of Δt=50 μs and a bias ratio V_(I) /(V_(I) +V_(S))=1/3. On the right side of FIG. 8 is shown a result when the voltage (I_(N) -S_(S)) shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a pixel concerned, and on the left side of FIG. 8 is shown a result when the voltage (I_(S) -S_(S)) is applied to a pixel concerned, respectively while increasing the voltage (V_(S) +V_(I)). On both sides of the ordinate, the absolute value of the voltage (V_(S) +V_(I)) is separately indicated. Herein, a voltage V₁ denotes the minimum absolute value of (V_(S) +V_(I)) required for switching from a white state to a black state by applying a voltage V_(B) ² at (I_(S) -S_(S)) shown in FIG. 4, a voltage V₂ denotes the minimum absolute value of (V_(S) +V_(I)) required for switching (resetting) a black state to a white state by applying a voltage V_(R) at (I_(N) -S_(S)), and a voltage V₃ is the maximum absolute value of (V_(S) +V_(I)) required for retaining a white state, i.e., beyond which a pixel concerned written in white is unexpectedly inverted into a black state by applying a voltage V_(B) ¹ at (I_(N) -S_(S)). In this instance, a relationship of V₂ <V₁ <V₃ holds. The voltage V₁ may be referred to as a threshold voltage in actual drive and the voltage V₃ may be referred to as a crosstalk voltage. Such a crosstalk voltage V₃ is generally present in actual matrix drive of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device. In an actual drive, ΔV=(V₃ -V₁) provides a range of |V_(S) +V_(I) | allowing a matrix drive and may be referred to as a (driving) voltage margin, which is preferably large enough. It is of course possible to increase the value of V₃ and thus ΔV (=V₃ -V₁) by increasing the bias ratio (i.e., by causing the bias ratio to approach a unity). However, a large bias ratio corresponds to a large amplitude of a data signal and leads to an increase in flickering and a lower contrast, thus being undesirable in respect of image quality. According to our study, a bias ratio of about 1/3-1/4 was practical. On the other hand, when the bias ratio is fixed, the voltage margin ΔV strongly depends on the switching characteristics of a liquid crystal material used, and it is needless to say that a liquid crystal material providing a large ΔV is very advantageous for matrix drive.

The upper and lower limits of application voltages and a difference therebetween (driving voltage margin ΔV) by which selected pixels are written in two states of "black" and "white" and non-selected pixels can retain the written "black" and "white" states at a constant temperature as described above, vary depending on and are inherent to a particular liquid crystal material used. Further, the driving margin is deviated according to a change in environmental temperature, so that optimum driving voltages should be set in an actual display apparatus according to a liquid crystal material used and an environmental temperature.

In a practical use, however, when the display area of a matrix display apparatus is enlarged, the differences in environmental conditions (such as temperature and cell gap between opposite electrodes) naturally increase, so that it becomes impossible to obtain a good quality of image over the entire display area by using a liquid crystal material having a small driving voltage margin.

In order to realize such a matrix display apparatus, an alignment characteristic of the liquid crystal material used becomes an important factor.

On the other hand, the liquid crystal materials assuming a chiral smectic C phase (SmC*) are liable to cause a zig-zag defect or an alignment defect at an area around a gap-retaining material such as spacer beads in a liquid crystal cell when the above rubbing (treatment is conducted. Further, the liquid crystal materials assuming SmC* are also liable to cause an alignment defect due to difference in rubbing state of an alignment film. The difference is caused by, e.g., surface unevenness of the alignment film due to the liquid crystal device structures used.

These problems may be attributable to the fact that an SmC* phase is provided through some phase transitions from an isotropic phase on temperature decrease in many cases and is closer to a crystal state than a nematic phase.

The above-mentioned alignment defect leads to drawbacks of lowering in bistability characteristic of the SmC* liquid crystal materials, lowering in image quality and contrast or occurrence of crosstalk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is accomplished in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional liquid crystal devices and aims at realizing a ferroelectric liquid crystal device which is expected to be applied to a high-speed optical shutter and a display of a high density and a large picture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition which is easily aligned by simple rubbing treatment and provides a monodomain having a uniform alignment characteristic and no defects.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition having a large driving temperature margin and a wide driving temperature margin affording satisfactory drive of entire pixels even when some degree of temperature fluctuation is present over a display area comprising the pixels of a liquid crystal device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device using such a liquid crystal composition and showing improved driving and display characteristics, and a display apparatus using the device and a display method using the composition or the device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal composition, comprising:

at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR5## wherein R¹ and R² independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; Z¹ denotes --COO-- or --CH₂ O--; X¹ and X² independently denote a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --CO-- or --OCOO--; A¹ denotes a single bond, ##STR6## Y¹ and Y² independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ -- or CF₃ --; and

at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR7## wherein R³ and R⁴ independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; X³ and X⁴ independently denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --CO--; Z² denotes a single bond, --COO-- or --OCO--; A², A³ and A⁴ independently denote a single bond, ##STR8## Y³ and Y⁴ independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF₃ ; and k is 0 or 1 with the proviso that X³ is a single bond when A² is a single bond, and X⁴ is a single bond when A³ is a single bond and k is 0.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a liquid crystal composition containing the above composition and a mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (III): ##STR9## wherein R⁵ denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent; X⁵ denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--; Z³ denotes a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --COS-- or --SCO--; X⁶ denotes --OCH₂ --, --COOCH₂ --, --OCO-- or O--CH₂ --_(k) O--CH₂ -- wherein k is an integer of 1-4; ##STR10## and u is an integer of 1-12.

The present invention provides a liquid crystal device comprising a pair of electrode plates and the liquid crystal composition described above disposed between the electrode plates.

The present invention further provides a display apparatus comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal device, and voltage application means for driving the liquid crystal device.

The present invention still further provides a display method using the liquid crystal Composition or the liquid crystal device described above and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltages to the liquid crystal composition to effect display.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal composition assuming a chiral smectic phase;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views of a device cell embodiment for illustrating the operation principle of a liquid crystal device utilizing ferroelectricity of a liquid crystal composition;

FIG. 4 shows unit driving waveforms used in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is time-serial waveforms comprising a succession of such unit waveforms;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel having a matrix electrode structure;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a display pattern obtained by an actual drive using the time-serial waveforms shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a V-T characteristic chart showing a change in transmittance under application of varying drive voltages;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device utilizing ferroelectricity of a liquid crystal composition and a graphic controller; and

FIG. 10 is a time chart of image data communication showing time correlation between signal transfer and driving with respect to a liquid crystal display apparatus utilizing ferroelectricity and a graphic controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred examples of the mesomorphic compound of the formula (I) may include those represented by the following formulas (Ia) and (Ie): ##STR11##

In the above formula (Ia)-(Ie), R¹, R², X¹, X², Y¹ and Y² are the same as defined above.

In the above-mentioned formula (I), preferred examples of R¹ and R² may respectively include those represented by the following groups (I-i) to (I-iv):

(I-i) an n-alkyl group having 2-16 carbon atoms, particularly 4-14 carbon atoms; ##STR12## wherein m is an integer of 0-7 and n is an integer of 1-9 (optically active or inactive); ##STR13## wherein r is an integer of 0-7, s is 0 or 1, and t is an integer of 1-14 (optically active or inactive); and

(I-iv) ##STR14## wherein p is 0 or 1 and x is an integer of 1-14.

Preferred examples of the mesomorphic compound of the formula (II) may include those represented by the following formulas (IIa) to (IIq): ##STR15##

In the above, R³, R⁴, X³, X⁴, Z², Y³ and Y⁴ are the same as defined above.

In the above formulas (IIa)-(IIq), further preferred examples of the mesomorphic compound of the formula (II) may include those represented by the following formulas (IIaa) to (IIna): ##STR16##

In the above, R³, R⁴, X³, X⁴, Y³ and Y⁴ are the same as defined above.

In the above-mentioned formula (II), preferred examples of R³ and R⁴ may respectively include those represented by the following groups (II-i) to (II-iv):

(II-i) a n-alkyl group having 2-16 carbon atoms, particularly 4-14 carbon atoms;

(II-ii) ##STR17## wherein m' is an integer of 0-6 and n' is an integer of 2-8 (optically active or inactive);

(II-iii) ##STR18## wherein r' is an integer of 0-6, s' is 0 or 1, and t' is an integer of 1-12 (optically active or inactive); and

(ii-iv) ##STR19## wherein p' is 0 or 1 and x' is an integer of 1-14.

Preferred examples of the mesomorphic compound of the formula (III) may include those represented by the following formulas (IIIa)-(IIIf): ##STR20##

In the above, R⁵, X⁵, X⁶ and u are the same as defined above. In the above formulas (IIIa) to (IIIf), further preferable examples may include those of the formulas (IIIa) to (IIIc). Further, X⁵ and X⁶ in the formulas (IIIa) to (IIIf) may preferably include the following combinations (III-i) to (III-v):

(III-i) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --O--CH₂ --;

(III-ii) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --COO--CH₂ --;

(III-iii) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --OCO--;

(III-iv) X⁵ is --O-- and X⁶ is --O--CH₂ --; and

(III-v) X⁵ is --O-- and X⁶ is --COOCH₂ --.

The mesomorphic compounds represented by the general formula (I) may be synthesized through the following reaction schemes. ##STR21##

In the above, R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group. ##STR22##

In the above, R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group and Z denotes --CH₂ OH or --COOH. ##STR23##

In the above, R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group. ##STR24##

Specific examples of the mesomorphic compounds represented by the above-mentioned general formula (I) may include those shown by the following structural formulas. ##STR25##

Representative examples of synthesis of the compound of the formula (I) are shown below.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 1

4-(5-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinyl)phenyl 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylate (Example Compound No. 1-67) was synthesized through the following steps i)-vi). ##STR26##

Step i) Production of 2-hexanoylthiophene

In a 5 liter-five-necked flask, 187.3 g (2.23 mol) of thiophene, 300 g (2.23 mol) of n-hexanoyl chloride and 2.7 liter of dry benzene were placed and cooled below 0° C. To the mixture under stirring, 237.9 g (9.13×10⁻¹ mol) of SnCl₄ was added dropwise in 1 hour below 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 30 min. below 0° C., followed by stirring for 3.5 hours while being gradually restored to room temperature. After the reaction, 2 liter of 10% HCl was added to the reaction mixture, followed by stirring for 10 min. The separated organic layer was successively washed three times with 500 ml each of 10% HCl, water, 5% Na₂ CO₃ and water, followed by drying with CaCl₂ and distilling-off of the solvent to obtain 408 g of a crude product. The crude product was subjected to reduced-pressure distillation in an atmosphere of nitrogen to obtain 313.4 g of a pure product (yield: 77.2%).

Step ii) Production of 2-hexylthiophene

In a 10 liter-five-necked flask, 300 g (1.65 mol) of 2-hexanolthiophene, 582.1 ml of 60% hydrazine hydrate and 5 liter of diethyleneglycol were placed and reacted for 2 hours at 180° C. with distilling-off of excessive water and hydrazine hydrate. The mixture was cooled to 110° C. and 313.7 g of KOH was added thereto, followed by heating again for 2 hours of reaction at 180° C. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into 10 liter of water, extracted two times with liter of isopropyl ether and washed four times with 2 liter of water, followed by drying with CaCl₂ and distilling-off of the solvent to obtain 285 g of a crude product. The crude product was subjected to reduced-pressure distillation in a atmosphere of nitrogen to obtain 230 g of a pure product (yield: 83%).

Step iii) Production of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carbaldehyde

In a 3 liter-four-necked flask, 173.7 (2.38 mol) of N,N-dimethylformamide was placed and cooled to 5° C., followed by addition of 201.4 g (1.31 mol) of POCl₃ in 15 min. below 10° C. under stirring. After stirring for 30 min. below 10° C., 200 g (1.19 mol) of 2-hexylthiophene was added dropwise to the mixture in 10 min. at room temperature, followed by stirring for 1.5 hours and further stirring for 2 hours at 60° C. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured int o 5 liter of iced water, subjected to 3 times of extraction with 2 liter of chloroform and washed 6 times with 2 liter of water. The organic layer was dried with CaCl₂, followed by distilling-off of the solvent and reduced-pressure distillation in an atmosphere of nitrogen to obtain 199.2 g of a product (Yield: 85.0%).

Step iv) Production of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylic acid

In a 5 liter-four-necked flask, 90.0 g (4.59×10⁻¹ mol) of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carbaldehyde, 540 of ethanol and a solution of 171.0 g of AgNO₃ in 540 ml of water were placed. A solution of 91.8 g of NaOH in 270 ml of water was added dropwise to the mixture in 30 min. at room temperature, followed by stirring for 1.5 hours. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was subjected to filtration, and the filtrate was acidified with 6N-HCl to precipitate a crystal. The crystal was recovered by filtration to provide a crude product. The product was subjected to recrystallization from 50 % hydrous ethanol to obtain 74.5 g of a pure product (yield: 76.6%).

Step v) Production of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylic chloride

10 ml of thionyl chloride was added to 1.0 g (4.72×10⁻³ ml) of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylic acid, followed by stirring for 4 hours under heating at 80° C. and removal of excessive thionyl chloride by reduced-pressure distillation to obtain 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylic chloride.

Step vi) Production of 4-(5-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinyl)phenyl 5-hexylthiophene-2-carboxylate

15 ml of pyridine was added to 0.80 g (2.36×10⁻³ mol) of 4-(5-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinyl)phenol, followed by cooling on an iced water bath. To the mixture. 0.54 g (2.36×10⁻³ mol) of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carbonyl chloride was added, followed by stirring for 5 hours at room temperature. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into 100 ml of water and acidified with conc. hydrochloric acid, followed by three times of extraction with 50 ml of isopropyl ether. The organic layer was washed with water repeatedly until the washing liquid reached neutrality, followed by drying with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and distilling-off of the solvent to obtain a crude product. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography (developing solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1) and recrystallized from ethanol to obtain 0.38 g of a pure product (yield: 30.2%). ##STR27## Herein, Cryst.: crystal, SmC: smectic C phase,

Sm3: smectic phase (un-identified),

N: nematic phase and

Iso.: isotropic phase.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 2

4-(4'-decylbiphenyl)-5-dodecylthiophene-2-carboxylate (Example Compound No. 1-37) was synthesized through the following manner.

0.70 g of the above compound was prepared in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1 except that 4'-decylbiphenyl-4-ol was used instead of 4-(5-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinyl)phenol and 5-dodecylthiophene-2-carbonyl chloride was used instead of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carbonyl chloride in Step vi) of Synthesis Example 1 (Yield: 73.0%). ##STR28## Sm3, 4, 5: smectic phase (un-identified) other than SmC.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 3

4-(5-octyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-2-fluorophenyl-5-butylthiophene-2-carboxylate (Example Compound No. 1-104) was synthesized through the following manner.

0.74 g of the above compound was prepared in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1 except that 4-(5-octyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-2-fluorophenol was used instead of 4-(5-dodecyl-2-pyrimidinyl)phenyl and 5-dodecylthiophene-2-carbonyl chloride was used instead of 5-hexylthiophene-2-carbonyl chloride in Step vi) of Synthesis Example 1 (yield: 39.4%). ##STR29##

Then, the compounds represented by the general formula (II) may be synthesized through the following reaction schemes A and B. ##STR30##

In a case where X³, X⁴ and Z² are respectively --O--, ##STR31## or it is also possible to form a group of R³ --X³ --A² -- or R⁴ --X⁴ --A⁴ --Z² _(k) A³ -- through the following steps (a) to (c):

(a) Hydroxyl group or carboxyl group combined with A², Z³ and A⁴ is modified with addition of a protective group into a non-reactive or less reactive group such as -OCH₃, ##STR32## capable of elimination reaction.

(b) Ring closure is effected to form a thiazole ring.

(c) The protective group is eliminated and then the R³ --X³ --A² -- or R⁴ --X⁴ --A⁴ --Z² _(k) A³ -- structure is formed.

Specific examples of the mesomorphic compounds represented by the above-mentioned general formula (II) may include those shown by the following structural formulas. ##STR33##

Representative examples of synthesis of the compounds of the formula (II) are shown hereinbelow.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 4

2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-pentanoyloxyphenyl)thiazole (Example Compound No. 2-53) was synthesized through the following steps i)-iv).

Step i) 4-methoxyphenacyl bromide was prepared by brominating 4-methoxyacetophenone with tetrabutylammonium tribromine in the same manner as in "Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn.", 60, 1159 (1987). ##STR34##

4-methoxyphenacylamine hydrochloride was synthesized from 4-methoxyphenacyl bromide through the above reaction scheme according to a process shown in "Ber.", 44. 1542 (1911). ##STR35##

To a solution of 26.9 g (120 mM) of 4-hexylbenzoyl chloride in 206 ml of pyridine, 22.2 g (110 mM) of 4-methoxyphenacylamine hydrochloride was gradually added in 30 minutes under cooling and stirring at -10° to -5° C., followed by stirring for 30 minutes at -10° to -5° C. and heat-refluxing of 1 hour under stirring. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured into 600 ml of cool water to precipitate a crystal. The crystal was recovered by filtration, washed with water and recrystallized from ethanol to obtain 19.6 g of 4-hexylbenzoyl-4'-methoxyphenacylamine (Yield: 50:5%). ##STR36##

In a 300 ml-round-bottomed flask, 19.6 g (55.5 mM) of 4-hexylbenzoyl-4'-methoxyphenacylamine, 24.3 g (60.1 mM) of Lawesson's reagent and 97 ml of tetrahydrofuran were placed, followed by heat-refluxing for 1 hour under stirring. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into a solution of 19 g of sodium hydroxide in 2 liters of water to precipitate a crystal. The crystal was recovered by filtration, successively washed with water and ethanol and recrystallized from ethanol to obtain 15.9 g of 2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazole (Yield: 82.9%).

Then, in a 300 ml-three-necked flask, 13.9 g (39.3 mM) of 2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)tiazole, 76.5 ml of acetic acid and 69.5 ml of 47%-hydrobromic acid were placed, followed by heat-stirring for 16 hours at 100°-110° C. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into cool water, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was successively washed with water, 5 %-sodium hydrogenecarbonate aqueous solution and water, followed by distilling-off of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in a mixture solvent of ethanol/chloroform=1/1, followed by decolorization with activated carbon and distilling-off of the solvent under reduced pressure. The resultant residue was recrystallized two times from toluene to obtain 10.0 g of 2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)thiazole (Yield: 75.8%). ##STR37##

To a solution of 0.60 g (1.78 mM) of 2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)thiazole in 10 ml of pyridine, 0.36 ml (3.03 mM) of pentanoyl chloride was added on an ice water bath under stirring, followed by further stirring for 2 hours at room temperature. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into 100 ml of ice water to precipitate a crystal. The crystal was recovered by filtration and dissolved in toluene, followed by drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate and distilling-off of the solvent. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: toluene) and recrystallized from a mixture solvent of toluene-methanol to obtain 0.64 g of 2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(4-pentanoyloxyphenyl)thiazole (Yield: 85.4%). ##STR38## SmC: smectic C phase, and N: nematici phase.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 5

2-(4-hexylphenyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-heptanoyloxyphenyl)thiazole (Example Compound No. 2-148) was synthesized through the following reaction schemes in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 3. ##STR39##

Then, the compounds represented by the formula (III) may be synthesized through processes as disclosed by, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications (JP-A) No. 22042/1988 and 122651/1988.

Specific examples of the mesomorphic compounds represented by the above-mentioned general formula (III) may include those shown by the following structural formulas. ##STR40##

Representative examples of synthesis of the compounds are shown hereinbelow.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of Example Compound No. 3-24

1.00 g (4.16 mM) of p-2-fluorooctyloxyphenol was dissolved in a mixture of 10 ml of pyridine and 5 ml of toluene, and a solution of 1.30 g (6.00 mM) of trans-4-n-pentylcyclohexanecarbonyl chloride in 5 ml of toluene was added dropwise thereto in 20-40 min. at below 5° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature to obtain a white precipitate.

After the reaction, the reaction product was extracted with benzene, and the resultant benzene layer was washed with distilled water, followed by drying with magnesium sulfate and distilling-off of the benzene, purification by silica gel column chromatography and recrystallization from ethanol/methanol to obtain 1.20 g (2.85 mM) of trans-4-n-pentylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid-p-2-fluorooctyloxyphenyl-ester. (Yield: 68.6%)

NMR data (ppm): 0.83-2.83 ppm (34H, m); 4.00-4.50 ppm (2H, q); 7.11 ppm (4H, s).

IR data (cm⁻¹): 3456, 2928, 2852, 1742, 1508, 1470, 1248, 1200, 1166, 1132, 854. ##STR41## S₃ -S₆ : phases of higher order than SmC*, SmC*: chiral smectic C phase, and

Ch.: cholesteric phase.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 7 Synthesis of Example Compound No. 3-56

In a vessel sufficiently replaced with nitrogen, 0.40 g (3.0 mmol) of (-)-2-fluoroheptanol and 1.00 g (13 mmol) of dry pyridine were placed and stirred for 30 min. under cooling on an ice bath. Into the solution, 0.69 g (3.6 mmol) of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride was added, and the mixture was stirred for 5 hours. After the reaction, 10 ml of 1N-HCl was added, and the resultant mixture was subjected to two times of extraction with 10 ml of methylene chloride. The extract liquid was washed once with 10 ml of distilled water and dried with an appropriate amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate, followed by distilling-off of the solvent to obtain 0.59 g (2.0 mmol) of (+)-2-fluoroheptyl p-toluenesulfonate.

The yield was 66 %, and the product showed the following optical rotation and IR data.

Optical rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁶.4 +2.59 degrees (c=1, CHCl₃); [α]₄₃₅ ²³.6 +9.58 degrees (c=1, CHCl₃);

IR (cm⁻¹): 2900, 2850, 1600, 1450, 1350, 1170, 1090 980, 810, 660, 550.

0.43 g (1.5 mmol) of the thus obtained (+)-2-fluoroheptyl p-toluenesulfonate and 0.28 g (1.0 mmol) of 5-octyl-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyrimidine were mixed with 0.2 ml of 1-butanol, followed by sufficient stirring. To the solution was quickly added a previously obtained alkaline solution of 0.048 g (1.2 mmol) of sodium hydroxide in 1.0 ml of 1-butanol, followed by 5.5 hours of heat-refluxing. After the reaction, 10 ml of distilled water was added, and the mixture was extracted respectively once with 10 ml of benzene and 5 ml of benzene, followed by drying with an appropriate amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate, distilling-off of the solvent and purification by silica gel column chromatography (eluent: chloroform to obtain 0.17 g (0.43 mmol) of objective (+)-5-octyl-2-[4-(2-fluoroheptyloxy)phenyl]pyrimidine.

The yield was 43%, and the product showed the following optical rotation and IR data.

Optical rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁵.6 +0.44 degree (c=1, CHCl₃); [α]₄₃₅ ²².4 +4.19 degrees (c=1, CHCl₃).

IR (cm⁻¹) 2900, 2850, 1600, 1580, 1420, 1250 1160, 800, 720, 650, 550.

The liquid crystal composition according to the present invention may be obtained by mixing at least one species of the compound represented by the formula (I), at least one species of the compound represented by the formula (II), optionally at least one species of the compound represented by the formula (III), and another mesomorphic compound in appropriate proportions. The liquid crystal composition according to the present invention may preferably be formulated as a liquid crystal composition capable of utilizing ferroelectricity, particularly a liquid crystal composition showing a chiral smectic phase.

Specific examples of another mesomorphic compound as described above may include those denoted by the following formulas (IV) to (VIII). ##STR42## wherein R₁ ' and R₂ ' respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups which an be replaced with --CHCN--, --C(CH₃)CN--, --CHCl-- or --CHBr-- and capable of further including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups other than those directly connected to Z₁ ' or Z₂ ' which can be replaced with --O--, ##STR43## at least one of R₁ ' and R₂ ' being optically active; Z₁ ' and Z₂ ' respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR44## a1 and b1 are respectively 0, 1 or 2 with the proviso that a1+b1=1 or 2. ##STR45## wherein R₃ ' and R₄ ' respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups which an be replaced with --CHCN--, --C(CH₃)CN--, --CHCl-- or --CHBr-- and capable of further including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups other than those directly connected to Z₃ ' or Z₄ ' which can be replaced with --O--, ##STR46## Z₃ ' and Z₄ ' respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR47## X₁ ' and X₂ ' respectively denote a single bond, ##STR48## --CH₂ O-- or --OCH₂ -- with the proviso that X₁ ' and X₂ ' cannot simultaneously denote a single bond; A₁ ' denotes ##STR49## wherein wherein Y₁ ' denotes hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF₃. ##STR50## wherein R₅ ' and R₆ ' respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups which an be replaced with --CHCN--, --C(CH₃)CN--, --CHCl-- or --CHBr-- and capable of further including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups other than those directly connected to Z₅ ' or Z₆ ' which can be replaced with --O--, ##STR51## or a single bond; A₃ ' denotes ##STR52## or a single bond with the proviso that A₂ ' and A₃ ' cannot simultaneously denote a single bond; Z₅ ' and Z₆ ' respectively denote a single bond, --O--, ##STR53## X₃ ' and X₄ ' respectively denote a single bond, ##STR54## --CH₂ O-- or --CH₂ -- with the proviso that X₃ ' is a single bond when A₂ ' is a single bond and X₄ ' is a single bond when A₃ ' is a single bond, and Y₂ ', Y₃ ' and Y₄ ' respectively denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF₃. ##STR55## wherein R₇ ' and R₈ ' respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups which an be replaced with --CHCN--, --C(CH₃)CN--, --CHCl-- or --CHBr-- and capable of further including one or two or more non-neighboring methylene groups other than those directly connected to Z₇ ' or Z₈ ' which can be replaced with --O--, ##STR56## A₄ ' denotes ##STR57## Z₇ ' and Z₈ ' respectively a single bond, --O--, ##STR58## X₅ ' and X₆ ' respectively denote a single bond, ##STR59## --CH₂ O-- or --OCH₂ --; and a3 and b3 are respectively 0 or 1 with the proviso that a3 and b3 cannot simultaneously be 0. ##STR60## wherein R₉ ' denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; R₁₀ ' denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-16 carbon atoms; A₅ ' denotes ##STR61## X₇ ' denotes a single bond, ##STR62## --CH₂ O-- or --OCH₂ --; X₈ ' denotes a single bond or ##STR63## Z₉ ' denotes a single bond, --O--, ##STR64## Z₁₀ ' denotes ##STR65## or --O--CH₂ CH₂ --; C* denotes an optically active-asymmetric carbon atom.

In the formula (IV) - (VIII), preferred compounds thereof may include those represented by the following formulas (IVa) to (VIIIe): ##STR66##

In formulating the liquid crystal composition according to the present invention, it is desirably that the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I) and (II) in total constitute 1-90 wt. %, preferably 2-80 wt. %, further preferably 4-80%, of the resultant composition. The compound of the formula (I) and the compound of the formula (II) may desirably be contained in a weight ratio of 100:1-1:100, preferably 70:1-1:70, further preferably 30:1-1:30.

The above proportional relationships may be desired also when two or more species of either one or both of the compounds of the formulas (I) and (II) are used.

When the compounds of (I), (II) and (III) are used in combination for constituting the liquid crystal composition according to the present invention, these compounds in total may desirably constitute 1-99 wt. %, 4-90 wt. %, further preferably 6-80 wt. %, of the resultant liquid crystal composition. The compounds of the formulas (I) and (II) in total and the compound of the formula (III) may desirably be used in a weight ratio of 1:30-100:1, preferably 1:20-50:1, more preferably 1:10-30:1.

Again the above proportional relationships regarding the compounds (I), (II) and (III) used in combination may be desired also when two or more species of one, two or all of the compounds of the formulas (I), (II) and (III) are used.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the present invention may preferably be prepared by heating the liquid crystal composition prepared as described above into an isotropic liquid under vacuum, filling a blank cell comprising a pair of oppositely spaced electrode plates with the composition, gradually cooling the cell to form a liquid crystal layer and restoring the normal pressure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device prepared as described above for explanation of the structure thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device includes a chiral smectic liquid crystal layer 1 disposed between a pair of glass substrates 2 each having thereon a transparent electrode 3 and an insulating alignment control layer 4. Lead wires 6 are connected to the electrodes so as to apply a driving voltage to the liquid crystal layer 1 from a power supply 7. Outside the substrates 2, a pair of polarizers 8 are disposed so as to modulate incident light I₀ from a light source 9 in cooperation with the liquid crystal 1 to provide modulated light I.

Each of two glass substrates 2 is coated with a transparent electrode 3 comprising a film of In₂ O₃, SnO₂ or ITO (indium-tin-oxide) to form an electrode plate. Further thereon, an insulating alignment control layer 4 is formed by rubbing a film of a polymer such as polyimide with gauze or acetate fiber-planted cloth so as to align the liquid crystal molecules in the rubbing direction. Further, it is also possible to compose the alignment control layer of two layers, e.g., by first forming an insulating layer of an inorganic material, such as silicon nitride, silicon nitride containing hydrogen, silicon carbide, silicon carbide containing hydrogen, silicon oxide, boron nitride, boron nitride containing hydrogen, cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or magnesium fluoride, and forming thereon an alignment control layer of an organic insulating material, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide polyamide-imide polyester-imide. polyparaxylylene polyester. polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyamide, polystyrene, cellulose resin, melamine resin, urea resin, acrylic resin, or photoresist resin. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a single layer of inorganic insulating alignment control layer or organic insulating alignment control layer. An inorganic insulating alignment control layer may be formed by vapor deposition, while an organic insulating alignment control layer may be formed by applying a solution of an organic insulating material or a precursor thereof in a concentration of 0.1 to 20 wt. %, preferably 0.2-10 wt. %, by spinner coating, dip coating, screen printing, spray coating or roller coating, followed by curing or hardening under prescribed hardening condition (e.g., by heating). The insulating alignment control layer may have a thickness of ordinarily 30Å-1 micron, preferably 40-3000Å, further preferably 40-1000Å. The two glass substrates 2 with transparent electrodes 3 (which may be inclusively referred to herein as "electrode plates") and further with insulating alignment control layers 4 thereof are held to have a prescribed (but arbitrary) gap with a spacer 5. For example, such a cell structure with a prescribed gap may be formed by sandwiching spacers of silica beads or alumina beads having a prescribed diameter with two glass plates, and then sealing the periphery thereof with, e.g., an epoxy adhesive. Alternatively, a polymer film or glass fiber may also be used as a spacer. Between the two glass plates, a ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed up to provide a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer 1 in a thickness of generally 0.5 to 20 microns, preferably 1 to 5 microns.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal provided by the composition of the present invention may desirably assume a SmC* phase (chiral smectic C phase) in a wide temperature range including room temperature (particularly, broad in a lower temperature side) and also shows wide drive voltage margin and drive temperature margin when contained in a device.

Particularly, in order to show a good alignment characteristic to form a uniform monodomain, the ferroelectric liquid crystal may show a phase transition series comprising isotropic phase - Ch phase (cholesteric phase) - SmA phase (smectic A phase) - SmC* phase (chiral smectic C phase) on temperature decrease.

The transparent electrodes 3 are connected to the external power supply 7 through the lead wires 6. Further, outside the glass substrates 2, polarizers 8 are applied. The device shown in FIG. 1 is of a transmission type and is provided with a light source 9.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a ferroelectric liquid crystal cell (device) for explaining operation thereof. Reference numerals 21a and 21b denote substrates (glass plates) on which a transparent electrode of, e.g., In₂ O₃, SnO₂, ITO (indium-tin-oxide), etc., is disposed, respectively. A liquid Crystal of an SmC*-phase (chiral smectic C phase) or SmH*-phase (chiral smectic H phase) in which liquid crystal molecular layers 22 are aligned perpendicular to surfaces of the glass plates is hermetically disposed therebetween. Full lines 23 show liquid crystal molecules. Each liquid crystal molecule 23 has a dipole moment (P) 24 in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof. The liquid crystal molecules 23 continuously form a helical structure in the direction of extension of the substrates. When a voltage higher than a certain threshold level is applied between electrodes formed on the substrates 21a and 21b, a helical structure of the liquid crystal molecule 23 is unwound or released to change the alignment direction of respective liquid crystal molecules 23 so that the dipole moments (P⊥) 24 are all directed in the direction of the electric field. The liquid crystal molecules 23 have an elongated shape and show refractive anisotropy between the long axis and the short axis thereof. Accordingly, it is easily understood that when, for instance, polarizers arranged in a cross nicol relationship, i.e., with their polarizing directions crossing each other, are disposed on the upper and the lower surfaces of the glass plates, the liquid crystal cell thus arranged functions as a liquid crystal optical modulation device of which optical characteristics vary depending upon the polarity of an applied voltage.

Further, when the liquid crystal cell is made sufficiently thin (e.g., less than about 10 microns), the helical structure of the liquid crystal molecules is unwound to provide a non-helical structure even in the absence of an electric field, whereby the dipole moment assumes either of the two states, i.e., Pa in an upper direction 34a or Pb in a lower direction 34b, as shown in FIG. 3, thus providing a bistable condition. When an electric field Ea or Eb higher than a certain threshold level and different from each other in polarity as shown in FIG. 3 is applied to a cell having the above-mentioned characteristics by using voltage application means 31a and 31b, the dipole moment is directed either in the upper direction 34a or in the lower direction 34b depending on the vector of the electric field Ea or Eb. In correspondence with this, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in either of a first stable state 33a and a second stable state 33b.

When the above-mentioned ferroelectric liquid crystal is used as an optical modulation element, it is possible to obtain two advantages. First is that the response speed is quite fast. Second is that the orientation of the liquid crystal shows bistability. The second advantage will be further explained, e.g., with reference to FIG. 3. When the electric field Ea is applied to the liquid crystal molecules, they are oriented in the first stable state 33a. This state is stably retained even if the electric field is removed. On the other hand, when the electric field Eb of which direction is opposite to that of the electric field Ea is applied thereto, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented to the second stable state 33b, whereby the directions of molecules are changed. This state is similarly stably retained even if the electric field is removed. Further, as long as the magnitude of the electric field Ea or Eb being applied is not above a certain threshold value, the liquid crystal molecules are placed in the respective orientation states.

Based on an arrangement described below and data format comprising image data accompanied with scanning line address data and by adopting communication synchronization using a SYNC signal as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, there is provided a liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention which uses the liquid crystal device according to the present invention as a display panel portion.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ferroelectric liquid crystal display apparatus 101 includes a graphic controller 102, a display panel 103, a scanning line drive circuit 104, a data line drive circuit 105, a decoder 106, a scanning signal generator 107, a shift resistor 108, a line memory 109, a data signal generator 110, a drive control circuit 111, a graphic central processing unit (GCPU) 112, a host central processing unit (host CPU) 113, and an image data storage memory (VRAM) 114.

Image data are generated in the graphic controller 102 in an apparatus body and transferred to a display panel 103 by signal transfer means shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The graphic controller 102 principally comprises a CPU (central processing unit, herein referred to as "GCPU") 112 and a VRAM (videoRAM, image data storage memory) 114 and is in charge of management and communication of image data between a host CPU 113 and the liquid crystal display apparatus (FLCD) 101. The control of the display apparatus is principally realized in the graphic controller 102. A light source is disposed at the back of the display panel 103.

Hereinbelow, the present invention will be explained more specifically with reference to examples. It is however to be understood that the present invention is not restricted to these examples.

EXAMPLE 1

A liquid crystal composition A was prepared by mixing the following compounds in respectively indicated proportions.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Structural formula                      wt. parts                              __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR67##                              10                                      ##STR68##                              8                                       ##STR69##                              10                                      ##STR70##                              7                                       ##STR71##                              4                                       ##STR72##                              3                                       ##STR73##                              3                                       ##STR74##                              3                                       ##STR75##                              15                                      ##STR76##                              15                                      ##STR77##                              8                                       ##STR78##                              8                                       ##STR79##                              6                                      __________________________________________________________________________

A liquid crystal composition 1-A was prepared by mixing the following Example Compounds with the above prepared composition in the respectively indicated proportions.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Ex. Comp. No.                                                                          Structural formula             wt. parts                               __________________________________________________________________________     1-38                                                                                    ##STR80##                     5                                       1-58                                                                                    ##STR81##                     10                                      2-12                                                                                    ##STR82##                     7                                       2-55                                                                                    ##STR83##                     8                                        2-166                                                                                  ##STR84##                     4                                               Composition A                  66                                      __________________________________________________________________________

The above-prepared liquid crystal composition 1-A was used to prepare a liquid crystal device in combination with a blank cell prepared in the following manner.

Two 0.7 mm-thick glass plates were provided and respectively coated with an ITO film to form an electrode for voltage application, which was further coated with an insulating layer of vapor-deposited SiO₂. On the insulating layer, a 0.2 %-solution of silane coupling agent (KBM-602, available from Shinetsu Kagaku K.K.) in isopropyl alcohol was applied by spinner coating at a speed of 2000 rpm for 15 second and subjected to hot curing treatment at 120° C. for 20 min.

Further, each glass plate provided with an ITO film and treated in the above described manner was coated with a 1.0 %-solution of polyimide resin precursor (SP-510, available from Toray K.K.) in dimethylacetoamide by a spinner coater rotating at 3000 rpm for 15 seconds. Thereafter, the coating film was subjected to heat curing at 300° C. for 60 min. to obtain about 120Å-thick film. The coating film was rubbed with acetate fiber-planted cloth. The thus treated two glass plates were washed with isopropyl alcohol. After silica beads with an average particle size of 1.5 microns were dispersed on one of the glass plates, the two glass plates were applied to each other with a bonding sealing agent (Lixon Bond, available from Chisso K.K.) so that their rubbed directions were parallel to each other and heated at 100° C. for 60 min. to form a blank cell. The cell gap was found to be about 1.5 microns as measured by a Berek compensator.

Then, the above-prepared liquid crystal composition 1-A was heated into an isotropic liquid, and injected into the above prepared cell under vacuum and, after sealing, was gradually cooled at a rate of 20° C./hour to 25° C. to prepare a ferroelectric liquid crystal device.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal device was subjected to measurement of a driving voltage margin ΔV (=V₃ -V₁) by using the driving waveforms (bias ratio=1/3) described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and setting Δt so as to provide V₁ of about 15 volts. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                                   10° C.                                                                            25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV                                                                    13.5 V      14.3 V    12.1 V                                       (set Δt)                                                                             (720 μsec)                                                                              (230 μsec)                                                                            (91 μsec)                                 ______________________________________                                    

Further, when the temperature was changed while the voltage (V_(S) +V_(I)) was set at a central value within the voltage margin at 25° C. (i.e., a central value of a voltage range capable of driving), the temperature difference capable of driving (hereinafter called "(driving) temperature margin") was ±4.1° C.

Further, a contrast of 11.0 was attained at 25° C. during the driving.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

A liquid crystal composition 1-AI was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 2-12, 2-55 and 2-166 from the liquid crystal composition 1-A, i.e., by adding only Example compound No. 1-38 and 1-58 to the liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal composition 1-AII was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 1-38 and 1-58 from the composition 1-A, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 2-12, 2-55 and 2-166 to the composition.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices A, 1-AI and 1-AII were prepared by using the compositions A, 1-AI and 1-AII, respectively, instead of the composition 1-A, and subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin ΔV, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV (set Δt)                                         10° C.     25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                      ______________________________________                                         A       8.6 V         8.9 V     7.5 V                                                  (830 μsec) (235 μsec)                                                                            (87 μsec)                                   1-AI    10.2 V        11.8 V    9.7 V                                                  (780 μsec) (240 μsec)                                                                            (95 μsec)                                   1-AII   9.4 V         9.7 V     8.8 V                                                  (750 μsec) (225 μsec)                                                                            (84 μsec)                                   ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±1.8° C. for A, ±3.5° C. for 1-AI and ±2.9° C. for 1-AII.

As apparent from the above Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 1-A according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

EXAMPLE 2

Fifteen-types of ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by equally using the composition 1-A prepared in Example 1 except that 15 types of alignment films were prepared by rubbing three types of polyimide films having different thicknesses (i.e., 60Å, 120Å and 180Å) with acetate fiber-planted cloth at 5 degrees of different rubbing strengths (alignment-regulating forces) by changing the moving speed of the acetate fiber-planted cloth under a constant pressing width of the cloth.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal devices prepared above were subjected to microscopic observation of alignment states in the devices. The results of the observation are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength*1                                                  coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                          60 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ◯                                                                           ◯                                                                      ⊚                       120 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                         ⊚*2                                                                     ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       180 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ⊚                                                                        ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       ______________________________________                                    

*1: A larger degree of rubbing strength is given by a smaller moving speed of the rubbing cloth (i.e., a longer rubbing time). The respective degrees of rubbing strength corresponded to the following moving speeds of the rubbing cloth:

1: 70 mm/sec, 2: 60 mm/sec, 3: 50 mm/sec,

4: 40 mm/sec, 5: 30 mm/sec/

*2: The device used in Example 1.

The standards of evaluation of the alignment states were as follows:

⊚: No alignment defects were observed, and a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic was observed.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices A, 1-AI and 1-AII were prepared by using the compositions A, 1-AI and 1-AII prepared in Comparative Example 1, respectively, instead of the composition 1-A prepared in Example 2, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 2. The devices were subjected to observation of alignment states in the device. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3         4   5                                     ______________________________________                                         <Device A>                                                                      60 Å                  ×   ×                                                                            ×                               120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               ×*1                                                                               ×                                                                            Δ                               180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×   Δ                                                                            Δ                               <Device 1-AI>                                                                   60 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×   ×                                                                            Δ                               120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               Δ*1                                                                               Δ                                                                            Δ                               180 Å  ×   Δ                                                                              Δ   Δ                                                                            ◯                         <Device 1-AII>                                                                  60 Å            ×                                                                              ×   ×                                                                            ×                               120 Å  ×   Δ                                                                               Δ*1                                                                               Δ                                                                            Δ                               180 Å  Δ   Δ                                                                              Δ   Δ                                                                            ◯                         ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Comparative Example 1.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

Δ: Alignment states looked like a uniform monodomain, but alignment defects in the form of streaks were observed over an entire area around silica beads and zig-zag defects were observed in a part of a display area.

×: Zig-zag defects were considerably observed.

: Zig-zag defects were observed over a substantially entire display area and ununiform alignment states result.

As apparent from the above Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 1-A according to the present invention provided a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic when used in the device.

Further, as is understood from the above-mentioned Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 and from the above Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, some obstacles to commercialization of a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device have been removed by using the liquid crystal composition 1-A according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 3

A liquid crystal composition 3-A was prepared by mixing the following example compounds in the indicated proportions with the liquid crystal composition A prepared in Example 1.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Ex. Comp. No.                                                                          Structural formula           wt. parts                                 __________________________________________________________________________     3-27                                                                                    ##STR85##                   5                                         3-63                                                                                    ##STR86##                   7                                         1-38                                 5                                         1-58                                 10                                        2-12                                 7                                         2-55                                 8                                          2-166                               4                                                 Composition A                54                                        __________________________________________________________________________

A ferroelectric liquid crystal device was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the above liquid crystal composition 3-A was used, and the device was subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin ΔV. The results of the measurement are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                                   10° C.                                                                            25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV                                                                    13.7 V      14.1 V    11.8 V                                       (set Δt)                                                                             (610 μsec)                                                                              (206 μsec)                                                                            (80 μsec)                                 ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±4.0° C. A contrast of 10.8 was attained during the drive at the temperature.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

A liquid crystal composition 3-AI was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 2-12, 2-55 and 2-166 from the liquid crystal composition 3-A, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 1-38, 1-58 3-27 and 3-63 to the liquid crystal composition A, and a liquid crystal composition 3-AII was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 1-38 and 1-58 from the composition 3-A, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 2-12, 2-55, 2-166, 3-27 and 3-63 to the composition A.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices A, 3-AI and 3-AII were prepared by using the compositions A, 3-AI and 3-AII, respectively, instead of the composition 3-A, and subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin ΔV, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 3. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV (set Δt)                                         10° C.     25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                      ______________________________________                                         A       8.6 V          8.9 V    7.5 V                                                  (830 μsec) (235 μsec)                                                                            (87 μsec)                                   3-AI    10.1 V        10.9 V    10.3 V                                                 (710 μsec) (218 μsec)                                                                            (87 μsec)                                   3-AII   9.6 V         10.1 V    8.6 V                                                  (685 μsec) (210 μsec)                                                                            (82 μsec)                                   ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±1.8° C. for A, ±3.3° C. for 3-AI and ±2.8° C. for 3-AII.

As apparent from the above Example 3 and Comparative Example 3, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 3-B according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

EXAMPLE 4

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except for using the composition 3-A prepared in Example 3.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal devices prepared above were subjected to microscopic observation of alignment states in the devices. The results of the observation are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                          60 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ◯                                                                           ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       120 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                         ⊚*1                                                                     ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       180 Å  ◯                                                                            ⊚                                                                     ⊚                                                                        ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Example 3.

⊚: No alignment defects were observed, and a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic was observed.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices A, 3-AI and 3-AII were prepared by using the compositions A, 3-AI and 3-AII prepared in Comparative Example 3, respectively, instead of the composition 3-A prepared in Example 4, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 2. The devices were subjected to observation of alignment states in the device. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                         <Device A>                                                                      60 Å                               ×                                120 Å            ×                                                                               ×*1                                                                              ×                                                                            ×                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  Δ                                                                            Δ                                <Device 3-AI>                                                                   60 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  Δ                                                                            Δ                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               Δ*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   Δ                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            ◯                          <Device 3-AII>                                                                  60 Å            ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            ×                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               Δ*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            Δ                                ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Comparative Example 3.

In the above, ◯, Δ, × and are the same as defined in the above-mentioned Comparative Example 2.

As apparent from the above Example 4 and Comparative Example 4, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 3-A according to the present invention provided a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic when used in the device.

Further, apparent from the above-mentioned Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 and from the above Example 4 and Comparative Example 4, obstacles to commercialization of a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device have been eliminated by using the liquid crystal composition 3-A according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 5

A liquid crystal composition B was prepared by mixing the following compounds in the respectively indicated proportions.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Structural formula                      wt. parts                              __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR87##                              5                                       ##STR88##                              3                                       ##STR89##                              4                                       ##STR90##                              8                                       ##STR91##                              3                                       ##STR92##                              8                                       ##STR93##                              8                                       ##STR94##                              11                                      ##STR95##                              10                                      ##STR96##                              8                                       ##STR97##                              3                                       ##STR98##                              5                                       ##STR99##                              6                                       ##STR100##                             9                                       ##STR101##                             6                                       ##STR102##                             3                                      __________________________________________________________________________

A liquid crystal composition 5-B was prepared by mixing the following Example Compounds with the above prepared composition B in the respectively indicated proportions.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Ex. Comp. No.                                                                          Structural formula             wt. parts                               __________________________________________________________________________     1-11                                                                                    ##STR103##                    2                                       1-37                                                                                    ##STR104##                    4                                       1-65                                                                                    ##STR105##                    4                                       1-66                                                                                    ##STR106##                    6                                       2-2                                                                                     ##STR107##                    4                                       2-54                                                                                    ##STR108##                    6                                        2-134                                                                                  ##STR109##                    3                                        2-140                                                                                  ##STR110##                    2                                               Composition B                  69                                      __________________________________________________________________________

A ferroelectric liquid crystal device 5-B was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the liquid crystal composition 5-B was used instead of the composition 1-B. The device was subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin. The results of the measurement are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                                   10° C.                                                                            25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV                                                                    11.5 V      12.0 V    10.1 V                                       (set Δt)                                                                             (440 μsec)                                                                              (153 μsec)                                                                            (53 μsec)                                 ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±3.9° C. A contrast of 10.9 was attained during the drive at the temperature.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

A liquid crystal composition 5-BI was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 2-2, 2-54, 2-134 and 2-140 from the liquid crystal composition 5-B prepared in Example 5, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 1-11, 1-37, 1-65 and 1-66 to the liquid crystal composition B, and a liquid crystal composition 5-BII was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 1-11, 1-37, 1-65 and 1-66 from the composition 5-B, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 2-28, 2-54, 2-134 and 2-140 to the composition B.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices B, 5-BI and 5-BII were prepared by using the compositions B, 5-BI and 5-BII, respectively, instead of the composition 5-B, and subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin ΔV, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 5. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV (set Δt)                                         10° C.     25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                      ______________________________________                                         B       8.0 V         8.1 V     6.8 V                                                  (525 μsec) (163 μsec)                                                                            (56 μsec)                                   5-BI    10.5 V        10.3 V    8.1 V                                                  (475 μsec) (163 μsec)                                                                            (57 μsec)                                   5-BII   9.3 V         9.1 V     7.9 V                                                  (470 μsec) (155 μsec)                                                                            (54 μsec)                                   ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±1.7° C. for B, ±3.3° C. for 5-BI and ±2.8° C. for 5-BII.

As apparent from the above Example 5 and Comparative Example 5, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 5-B according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

EXAMPLE 6

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared in the same manner as in Example 5 except for using the composition 5-B prepared in Example 5.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal devices prepared above were subjected to microscopic observation of alignment states in the devices. The results of the observation are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                          60 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ◯                                                                           ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       120 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                         ⊚*1                                                                     ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       180 Å  ◯                                                                            ⊚                                                                     ⊚                                                                        ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Example 5.

⊚: No alignment defects were observed, and a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic was observed.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices B, 5-BI and 5-BII were prepared by using the compositions B, 5-BI and 5-BII prepared in Comparative Example 5, respectively, instead of the composition 5-B prepared in Example 6, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 6. The devices were subjected to observation of alignment states in the device. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                         <Device B>                                                                      60 Å                           ×                                                                            ×                                120 Å                   ×*1                                                                              ×                                                                            ×                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            Δ                                <Device 5-BI>                                                                   60 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            Δ                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               ×*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            Δ                                <Device 5-BII>                                                                  60 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            Δ                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               Δ*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   Δ                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            ◯                          ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Comparative Example 5.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

Δ: Alignment states looked a uniform monodomain, but alignment defects in the form of streaks were observed over an entire area around silica beads and zig-zag defects were observed in a part of a display area.

×: Zig-zag defects were considerably observed.

: Zig-zag defects were observed over a substantially entire display area and ununiform alignment states result.

As apparent from the above Example 6 and Comparative Example 6, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 5-B according to the present invention provided a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic when used in the device.

Further, apparent from the above-mentioned Example 5 and Comparative Example 5 and from the above Example 6 and Comparative Example 6, some obstacles to commercialization of a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device have been removed by using the liquid crystal composition 5-B according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 7

A liquid crystal composition 7-B was prepared by mixing the following example compounds in the indicated proportions with the liquid crystal composition 5-B prepared in Example 5.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Ex. Comp. No.                                                                          Structural formula              wt. parts                              __________________________________________________________________________     3-61                                                                                    ##STR111##                     5                                      3-62                                                                                    ##STR112##                     4                                      3-70                                                                                    ##STR113##                     2                                      1-11                                    2                                      1-37                                    4                                      1-65                                    4                                      1-66                                    6                                      2-2                                     4                                      2-54                                    6                                       2-134                                  3                                       2-140                                  2                                              Composition B                   58                                     __________________________________________________________________________

A ferroelectric liquid crystal device was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the above liquid crystal composition 7-B was used, and the device was subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin. The results of the measurement are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                                   10° C.                                                                            25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV                                                                    11.3 V      12.1 V    9.8 V                                        (set Δt)                                                                             (353 μsec)                                                                              (113 μsec)                                                                            (44 μsec)                                 ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±3.8° C. A contrast of 11.1 was attained during the drive at the temperature.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7

A liquid crystal composition 7-BI was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 2-2, -54, 2-134 and 2-140 from the liquid crystal composition 7-B prepared in Example 7, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 1-11, 1-37, 1-65, 1-66, 3-61, 3-62 and 3-70 to the liquid crystal composition B, and a liquid crystal composition 7-BII was prepared by omitting Example compounds Nos. 1-11, 1-37, 1-65 and 1-66 from the composition 7-B, i.e., by adding only Example compounds Nos. 2-2, 2-54, 2-134, 2-140, 3-61, 3-62 and 3-70 to the composition B.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices B, 7-BI and 7-BII were prepared by using the compositions B, 7-BI and 7-BII, respectively, instead of the composition 7-B, and subjected to measurement of driving voltage margin ΔV, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 7. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin ΔV (set Δt)                                         10° C.     25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                      ______________________________________                                         B       8.0 V         8.1 V     6.8 V                                                  (525 μsec) (163 μsec)                                                                            (56 μsec)                                   7-BI    9.8 V         10.1 V    7.9 V                                                  (415 μsec) (148 μsec)                                                                            (50 μsec)                                   7-BII   9.2 V         9.0 V     7.5 V                                                  (413 μsec) (145 μsec)                                                                            (48 μsec)                                   ______________________________________                                    

Further, the driving temperature margin with respect to 25° C. was ±1.7° C. for B, ±3.1° C. for 7-BI and ±2.6° C. for 7-BII.

As apparent from the above Example 7 and Comparative Example 7, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 7-B according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

EXAMPLE 8

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 except for using the composition 7-B prepared in Example 7.

The ferroelectric liquid crystal device prepared above were subjected to observation of alignment states in the devices. The results of the observation are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                          60 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ◯                                                                           ◯                                                                      ◯                          120 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                         ⊚*1                                                                     ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       180 Å  ◯                                                                            ◯                                                                        ⊚                                                                        ⊚                                                                   ⊚                       ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Example 7.

⊚: No alignment defects were observed, and a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic was observed.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8

Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices B, 7-BI and 7-BII were prepared by using the compositions B, 7-BI and 7-BII prepared in Comparative Example 7, respectively, instead of the composition 7-B prepared in Example 8, otherwise in the same manner as in Example 8. The devices were subjected to observation of alignment states in the device. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Thickness of                                                                              Rubbing strength                                                    coating film                                                                              1         2     3        4   5                                      ______________________________________                                         <Device B>                                                                      60 Å                           ×                                                                            ×                                120 Å            ×                                                                               ×*1                                                                              ×                                                                            ×                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            Δ                                <Device 7-BI>                                                                   60 Å            ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            ×                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               ×*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   ×                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            Δ                                <Device 7-BII>                                                                  60 Å  ×   ×                                                                              ×  ×                                                                            Δ                                120 Å  ×   ×                                                                               Δ*1                                                                              Δ                                                                            Δ                                180 Å  ×   Δ                                                                              Δ  Δ                                                                            ◯                          ______________________________________                                    

*1: The device used in Comparative Example 7.

◯: Alignment defects in the form of streaks were slightly observed in a part of an area around silica beads.

Δ: Alignment states looked like a uniform monodomain, but alignment defects in the form of streaks were observed over an entire area around silica beads and zig-zag defects were observed in a part of a display area.

×: Zig-zag defects were considerably observed.

: Zig-zag defects were observed over a substantially entire display area and ununiform alignment states result.

As apparent from the above Example 8 and Comparative Example 8, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition 7-B according to the present invention provided a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic when used in the device.

Further, apparent from the above-mentioned Example 7 and Comparative Example 7 and from the above Example 8 and Comparative Example 8, some obstacles to commercialization of a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device have been removed by using the liquid crystal composition 7-B according to the present invention.

EXAMPLE 9

A blank cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using a 2 % aqueous solution of Polyvinyl alcohol resin (PVA-117, available from Kuraray K.K.) instead of the 1.5 %-solution of polyimide resin precursor in dimethylacetoamide on each electrode plate. A ferroelectric liquid crystal device was prepared by filling the blank cell with the liquid crystal composition 1-A prepared in Example 1. The liquid crystal device was subjected to measurement of driving voltage and temperature margins in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin (set Δt)                                                  10° C.                                                                          25° C.                                                                            40° C.                                                                            Temp. margin (at 25° C.)                    ______________________________________                                         13.2 V  14.1 V    11.9 V    ±4.0° C.                                 (720 μsec)                                                                          (235 μsec)                                                                            (92 μsec)                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

A blank cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for omitting the SiO₂ layer to form an alignment control layer composed of the polyimide resin layer alone on each electrode plate. A ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared by filling such a blank cell with liquid crystal composition 1-A prepared in Example 1. The liquid crystal device was subjected to measurement of driving voltage and temperature margings in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown below.

    ______________________________________                                         Voltage margin (set Δt)                                                  10° C.                                                                          20° C.                                                                            40° C.                                                                            Temp. margin (at 25° C.)                    ______________________________________                                         13.5 V  14.5 V    12.2 V    ±4.2° C.                                 (715 μsec)                                                                          (225 μsec)                                                                            (90 μsec)                                                 ______________________________________                                    

As is apparent from the above Examples 9 and 10, also in the case of a different device structure, the device containing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition 1-A according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

EXAMPLE 11-23

Liquid crystal compositions 11-A to 16-A and 17-B to 23-B were prepared by replacing the example compounds and the liquid crystal compositions used in Example 1 and 5 with example compounds and liquid crystal compositions shown in the following Table 1. Ferroelectric liquid crystal devices were prepared by respectively using these compositions instead of the composition 1-A, and subjected to measurement of driving voltage and temperature margins and observation of switching states in the same manner as in Example 1. In the devices, a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic was observed. The results of the measurement are shown in the following Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                            Voltage margin (V)                                                                         Temp. margin                Ex. No.                                                                               Example compound No. or liquid crystal composition                                                             Set Δt (μsec)                                                                     at 25° C.            (Comp. No.)                                                                           (weight parts)                  10° C.                                                                      25° C.                                                                      40° C.                                                                      (°C.)                __________________________________________________________________________     11     1-3,                                                                              1-18,                                                                              1-37,                                                                              1-59,                                                                              2-13,                                                                              2-54,                                                                              2-117, A 13.8                                                                               14.1                                                                               13.3                                                                               ±4.2° C.          (11-A) 2  2   5   6   5   8   3      69                                                                               732 234 92                              12     1-23,                                                                             1-43,                                                                              1-70,                                                                               1-106,                                                                            2-9,                                                                               2-55,                                                                              2-155, A 13.6                                                                               13.9                                                                               12.9                                                                               ±4.0° C.          (12-A) 3  3   6   4   8   8   3      67                                                                               727 232 91                              13     1-42,                                                                             1-66,                                                                              1-86,                                                                              2-12,                                                                              2-20,                                                                              2-53,                                                                              2-166, A 14.1                                                                               14.3                                                                               13.1                                                                               ±4.2° C.          (13-A) 3  8   4   3   4   8   4      66                                                                               742 235 93                              14     1-11,                                                                             1-62,                                                                              1-66,                                                                               1-107,                                                                            2-20,                                                                              2-57,                                                                              2-157  A 13.7                                                                               13.9                                                                               12.8                                                                               ±4.1° C.          (14-A) 2  5   5   4   4   6   6      68                                                                               735 236 94                              15     1-42,                                                                             1-55,                                                                              1-65,                                                                              2-9,                                                                               2-16,                                                                               2-158,                                                                            3-37,                                                                              3-58                                                                              A 13.5                                                                               13.8                                                                               12.1                                                                               ±4.0° C.          (15-A) 4  4   6   5   6   4   4   6  61                                                                               605 205 80                              16     1-40,                                                                              1-122,                                                                             1-131,                                                                            2-19,                                                                              2-58,                                                                               2-171,                                                                            3-40,                                                                              3-57                                                                              A 13.4                                                                               13.7                                                                               11.8                                                                               ±3.9° C.          (16-A) 3  6   4   4   6   4   5   6  62                                                                               590 200 79                              17     1-38,                                                                             1-57,                                                                              1-60,                                                                               1-106,                                                                            2-23,                                                                              2-66,                                                                              2-179, B 11.7                                                                               13.3                                                                               10.9                                                                               ±3.8° C.          (17-B) 4  4   4   3   6   6   3      79                                                                               428 133 55                              18     1-54,                                                                             1-57,                                                                              1-66,                                                                              2-18,                                                                              2-26,                                                                              2-54,      B 12.9                                                                               13.8                                                                               11.2                                                                               ±4.0° C.          (18-B) 5  6   5   6   3   6          69                                                                               433 135 56                              19     1-18,                                                                             1-59,                                                                               1-106,                                                                            2-13,                                                                              2-57,                                                                               2-165     B 12.1                                                                               12.7                                                                               11.0                                                                               ±3.9° C.          (19-B) 3  6   5   4   8   4          70                                                                               450 158 55                              20     1-38,                                                                             1-65,                                                                               1-116,                                                                            2-20,                                                                              2-29,                                                                              2-55,                                                                              2-183, B 11.7                                                                               12.3                                                                               11.8                                                                               ±4.1° C.          (20-B) 4  6   4   4   4   7   3      68                                                                               455 155 53                              21     1-11,                                                                             1-62,                                                                              1-73,                                                                               1-106,                                                                            2-63,                                                                              2-80,                                                                              2-169,                                                                             3-63,                                                                             B 12.1                                                                               13.1                                                                               10.8                                                                               ±3.9° C.          (21-B) 3  7   6   2   6   8   4   11 53                                                                               355 116 46                              22     1-21,                                                                             1-60,                                                                              1-74,                                                                              2-9,                                                                               2-66,                                                                               2-176,                                                                            3-62,                                                                              3-68,                                                                             B 11.9                                                                               13.0                                                                               11.6                                                                               ±4.0° C.          (22-B) 2  8   4   5   7   3   4   6  61                                                                               360 120 47                              23     1-42,                                                                             1-66,                                                                              1-89,                                                                              2-20,                                                                               2-137,                                                                             2-164,                                                                            3-43,                                                                              3-61,                                                                             B 12.4                                                                               13.5                                                                               10.8                                                                               ±4.0° C.          (23-B) 4  7   3   6   8   3   5   7  57                                                                               348 112 44                              __________________________________________________________________________

As apparent from the above Examples 11-23, the ferroelectric liquid crystal devices containing the liquid crystal compositions 11-A to 16-A and 17-B to 23-B respectively, according to the present invention provided wider driving voltage and temperature margins and showed a good alignment characteristic and better performance of retaining good images in resistance to changes in environmental temperature and cell gap.

Further, the liquid crystal device containing the liquid crystal composition according to the present invention provided a decreased temperature dependence of response speed (smaller ratio of set Δt (10° C./40° C.)).

Thus, early commercialization of a liquid crystal device utilizing ferroelectricity of a liquid crystal can be expected by using the liquid crystal composition according to the present invention.

As described hereinabove, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal composition which is easily aligned by simple rubbing treatment and provides a monodomain with a good and uniform alignment characteristic and with no defects.

Further, the liquid crystal device using such a liquid crystal composition according to the present invention shows a good switching characteristic and provides a wider driving voltage margin and a wider temperature margin affording satisfactory drive of entire pixels even when some degree of temperature fluctuation is present over a display area comprising the pixels of a liquid crystal device.

Still further, according to the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus and display method utilizing the liquid crystal device described above as a display unit, which provide good display characteristics in combination with a light source, a drive circuit, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal composition, comprising:at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR114## wherein R¹ and R² independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; Z¹ denotes --COO-- or --CH₂ O--; X¹ and X² independently denote a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --CO-- or --OCOO--; A¹ denotes a single bond ##STR115## Y¹ and Y² independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ -- or CF₃ --; and at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (II): ##STR116## wherein R³ and R⁴ independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)--with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; X³ and X⁴ independently denotes a single bond. --O--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --CO--: Z² denotes a single bond, --COO-- or --OCO--; A², A³ and A⁴ independently denote a single bond, ##STR117## Y³ and Y⁴ independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF₃ ; and k is 0 or 1 with the proviso that X³ is a single bond when A² is a single bond, and X⁴ is a single bond when A³ is a single bond and k is
 0. 2. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, which further comprises a mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (III): ##STR118## wherein R⁵ denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent; X⁵ denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--; Z³ denotes a single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --COS-- or --SCO--; X⁶ denotes --OCH₂ --, --COOCH₂ --, --OCO-- or --O(CH₂)_(k) O--CH₂ -- wherein k is an integer of 1-4; ##STR119## and u is an integer of 1-12.
 3. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the mesomorphic compound of the formula (I) is represented by any one of the following formulas (Ia)-(Ie): ##STR120## wherein R¹ and R² independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; X¹ and X² independently denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO--, --CO--or --OCOO--; and Y¹ and Y² independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ -- or CF₃.
 4. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein R¹ and R² in the formula (I) respectively denote any one of the following groups (I-i) to (I-iv):(I-i) an n-alkyl group having 2-16 carbon atoms; (I-ii) ##STR121## wherein m is an integer of 0-7 and n is an integer of 1-9; (I-iii) ##STR122## wherein r is an integer of 0-7, s is 0 or 1, and t is an integer of 1-14; and (I-iv) ##STR123## wherein p is 0 or 1, x is an integer of 1-14, and C* denotes asymmetric carbon atom.
 5. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the mesomorphic compound of the formula (II) is represented by any one of the following formulas (IIa)-(IIq): ##STR124## wherein R³ and R⁴ independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen; X³ and X⁴ independently denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --CO--; Z² denotes a single bond, --COO--or --OCO; and Y³ and Y⁴ independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF₃.
 6. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the mesomorphic compound of the formula (II) is represented by any one of the following formulas (IIaa) to (IIna): ##STR125## wherein R³ and R⁴ independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms capable of including one or non-neighboring two or more methylene groups which can be replaced with at least one species of --O--, --CO--, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- or --CH(X)-- with the proviso that --O-- cannot directly be connected to --O-- and X denotes halogen., X³ and X⁴ independently denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO--, --OCO-- or --CO--; and Y³ and Y⁴ independently denote hydrogen, halogen, --CH₃ or --CF3.
 7. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein R³ and R⁴ in the formula (II) respectively denote any one of the following groups (II-i) to (II-iv):(II-i) an n-alkyl group having 2-16 carbon atoms; (II-ii) ##STR126## wherein m' is an integer of 0-6 and n' is an integer of 2-8; (II-iii) ##STR127## wherein r' is an integer of 0-6, s' is 0 or 1, and t' is an integer of 1-12; and (II-iv) ##STR128## wherein p' is 0 or 1 and x' is an integer of 1-14.
 8. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, wherein the mesomorphic compound of the formula (III) is represented by any one of the following formulas (IIIa)-(IIIf): ##STR129## wherein R⁵ denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent; X⁵ denotes a single bond, --O--, --COO-- or --OCO--; X⁶ denotes --OCH₂ --, --COOCH₂ --, --OCO-- or --O(CH₂)_(k) O--CH₂ -- wherein k is an integer of 1-4; and u is an integer of 1-12.
 9. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 8, wherein X⁵ and X⁶ in the formulas (IIIa) to (IIIf) denote any one of the following combinations (III-i) to (III-v):(III-i) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --O--CH₂ --; (III-ii) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --COO--CH₂ --; (III-iii) X⁵ is a single bond and X⁶ is --OCO--; (III-iv) X⁵ is --O-- and X⁶ is --O--CH₂ --; and (III-v) X⁵ is --O-- and X⁶ is --COOCH₂ --.
 10. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, which comprises 1-90 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I) and (II).
 11. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, which comprises 2-80 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I) and (II).
 12. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, which comprises 4-80 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I) and (II).
 13. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, which comprises 1-99 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I), (II) and (III).
 14. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, which comprises 4-90 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I), (II) and (III).
 15. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, which comprises 6-80 wt. % in total of the mesomorphic compounds of the formulas (I), (II) and (III).
 16. A liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, which has a chiral smectic phase.
 17. A liquid crystal device, comprising a pair of electrode plates and a liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2 disposed between the electrode plates.
 18. A liquid crystal device according to claim 17, which further comprises an insulating alignment control layer.
 19. A liquid crystal device according to claim 18, wherein the insulating alignment control layer has been subjected to rubbing.
 20. A liquid crystal device according to claim 17, wherein the liquid crystal composition is disposed in a thickness suppressing formation of a helical structure of liquid crystal molecules between the electrode plates.
 21. A display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device according to claim 17, and voltage application means for driving the liquid crystal device.
 22. A display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device according to claim 21, voltage application means for driving the liquid crystal device and a drive circuit.
 23. A display apparatus comprising a liquid crystal device according to claim 21, voltage application means for driving the liquid crystal device, and a light source.
 24. A display method comprising:providing a liquid crystal composition according to any one of claims 1-15; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition to effect display.
 25. A display method comprising:providing a liquid crystal composition according to claim 16; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition to effect display.
 26. A display method, comprising:providing a liquid crystal device according to claim 17; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition disposed between the electrode plates to effect display.
 27. A display method, comprising:providing a liquid crystal device according to claim 18; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition disposed between the electrode plates to effect display.
 28. A display method, comprising:providing a liquid crystal device according to claim 19; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition disposed between the electrode plates to effect display.
 29. A display method, comprising:providing a liquid crystal device according to claim 20; and switching the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules by applying voltage to the liquid crystal composition disposed between the electrode plates to effect display. 